sign in sign up
<<
Home , Beech, Birch, Douglas fir, Hardwood, Juglans, Lumber

Agricultural Extension Service The University of PB1692 Identification for and Native to Tennessee

1 Contents

Introduction 3 Wood Surfaces 3 Macro Cross- Characteristics 4 Preparing the Wood Surface 4 Separating from 4 Hardwoods 6 Growth Pore Arrangement 6 Vessel (Pore) Arrangement 6 Wood Rays 7 Tyloses 7 7 Color, Odor and 8 Softwoods 8 Canals 8 Growth Rings: Earlywood and Latewood 8 Color, Odor and Density 9 Summary 9 Other Publications Related to Wood Identification 10 Wood ID: Species Characteristics 11 Ring-Porous Hardwoods 11 Semi-Ring-Porous Hardwoods 12 Diffuse-Porous Hardwoods 12 Softwood Identification 12 Softwood Key 14 Hardwood Key 15

2 Wood Identification for Hardwood and Softwood Species Native to Tennessee

Brian Bond, Assistant Professor, and Peter Hamner, Research Associate Department of , and The University of Tennessee

Introduction hand lens (10x) can be used to distinguish the different types and their arrangements. By This publication provides information on how using the proper techniques, you can become to identify wood of several species common to efficient and accurate at wood identification. Tennessee by using a hand-magnifying lens. In- cluded in this publication are a wood identification key for some common Tennessee species, a list of Wood Surfaces key specie characteristics and a list of companies Most of the wood cell structure characteristics that sell wood identification sample sets. discussed in this publication are best viewed from Tennessee has a rich variety of species, the cross-section surface of the wood. Wood and the wood produced from each of these has surfaces are classified into three categories, or unique structure, physical and mechanical proper- geometric planes of reference, that indicate the ties. The differences in wood structure and proper- type of surface uncovered after a cut has been ties allow for the manufacture of wood-based made. The three reference planes are the cross products with many different appearances and section, radial section and tangential section. uses. Since wood is a popular and useful material, Figure 1 depicts the three reference planes of it is important that enthusiasts and professionals be wood. The cross section is produced by cutting the able to distinguish the wood of one species from cells perpendicular to the direction of growth in the another. For example, how would a manu- tree. The cross section is the same surface seen on facturer tell the difference between , which doesn’t hold liquids, and white oak, which does? Wood of a particular species can be identi- Planes of Reference fied by its unique features. These features include strength, density, , odor, texture and Cross-Section Surface color. Reliable wood identification usually re- quires the ability to recognize basic differences in cellular structure and wood anatomy. Each species has unique cellular structure that creates differ- ences in wood properties and ultimately deter- Annual Growth Ring mines the suitability for a particular use. Cellular Increment characteristics provide a blueprint for accurate (annual ring) wood identification. Wood is composed of many small cells and its structure is determined by the type, size, shape and Radial Surface Tangential arrangement of these cells. The structure and Surface characteristics of wood can vary between species and within the same species. With practice, a small Figure 1. Three-dimensional orientation of wood material.

3 a stump after a tree. It is important to tion. The development of the wood material inside determine which reference you are viewing a growth ring is caused by the changes that occur when identifying wood, because cell structure is during the growing season. Earlywood, or three-dimensional and varies based on orientation. springwood, is formed in the spring and early summer at the beginning of the growing season Macro Cross-section when warm and wet conditions promote rapid growth. Earlywood cells have large diameters and Characteristics thin cell . Latewood, or summerwood, is By cutting a tree and exposing the cross formed in late summer and fall toward the end of section, you can observe the , (bark- the growing season when dryer conditions slow the producing layer), (a thin layer inside the development of new wood growth. Latewood bark where cell division takes place) and occurs at the outer region of a growth ring, and is (sapwood and heartwood) (Figure 2). The heart- characterized by cells with greatly thickened cell wood is the darker-colored material that is formed walls and narrow diameters. in the center of the tree. Although heartwood is formed in the tree center, it may not occur uni- Preparing the formly across the surface of the section. The heartwood contains extractives, which are the Wood Surface chemical components that give cedar its pleasant To view the cellular characteristics of wood, aroma, redwood its decay resistance and its it is very useful to have a 10-power (10x) hand dark color. The sapwood surrounds the heartwood lens to magnify the section you are looking at. and is lighter-colored. The size and width of the Preparation of the wood surface is important and sapwood will vary greatly between species. For can affect your ability to locate and identify example, the sapwood of locust is a very narrow specific cell types. The cross section is the best outer band and the sapwood of black cherry is very section to begin your observation of the cell wide. The color and odor of heartwood can also be structure in wood. To prepare a cross section for useful in identifying certain species like redcedar, viewing, make a thin, clean cut with a razor blade and black walnut. or sharp . Make the cut across the surface at a Another feature that can be observed when slight angle. It is important not to take off too viewing the cross section is the growth rings. A much material or to cut too deeply. You are better growth ring represents one of wood forma- to make several thin slicing cuts to enlarge the viewing area rather than trying to make one large cut. Using a dull blade or cutting too deeply will Woody Stem create a poor surface and mask otherwise useful identifying features. Only a small area with a few growth rings is needed for adequate observation and identification. Identifying wood is a process of elimination. The best strategy is to search for particular features that will help you to categorize the species or group of species withe those features, and thus eliminate others that do not. The use of an identifi- cation key can be helpful for this separation. A wood identification key is provided for the species discussed in this publication. Separating Hardwoods Phloem Sapwood Heartwood from Softwoods Outer bark Cambium After preparing a surface to view, the first Figure 2. Primary layers of wood through the step is to determine whether a specimen is soft- diameter of a tree. wood or a hardwood. The terms softwood and

4 hardwood are used to reference the taxonomical How to prepare a good surface division that separates a species and have little to for viewing wood structure do with the actual hardness of the wood. Hardwood with a hand lens have broad and are – they lose their leaves at the end of the growing season. • A sharp blade is required for good surface prepara- Hardwoods are angiosperms – using to tion. A razor blade is best. pollinate for reproduction. , , • A good clean surface is one where cells have been and trees are examples of hardwood cleanly cut rather than torn. trees. Softwood trees are (), • Do not cut too deep. Deep cuts will resort in torn have needles or scale-like foliage and are not fibers in the wood section and possible injury to deciduous. Softwoods are , meaning your hands and fingers! they do not have flowers and use cones for seed • Only a few growth rings on the cross section are reproduction. Examples of softwoods include needed. , , and hemlocks. • Wetting the surface with can be helpful in Softwood cellular structure is simple and 90- getting a good, clean section. 95 percent of the cells are longitudinal . Longitudinal tracheids function in water conduc- tion and support. The limited number of cell types makes softwoods more difficult to differentiate extremely large and numerous. Other species, such from one another. as -poplar, gum and , have vessel Hardwood structure is more complex than elements that are uniform in size and number, and softwood structure, and varies considerably be- are evenly spaced throughout the growth ring. By tween species. The majority of hardwood volume using a hand lens, you can determine if vessel is composed of fiber cells that offer structural elements are present or not, thus separating hard- support to the stem. The major difference between from softwoods. Figure 3 illustrates the hardwoods and softwoods is the presence of vessel three dimensional differences between hardwood elements, or pores, that exist in hardwoods only. and softwood cell structure. The main function of vessel elements is water After determining whether a wood sample is a conduction. Vessel elements can vary greatly in hardwood or softwood – based on the presence or size, number and spacing from one species to absence of vessel elements – we can begin to look another, and from earlywood to latewood. Some more closely at other cell types for further assis- species, like oak, have vessel elements that are tance with identification.

Hardwood Softwood

earlywood thick-walled thin-walled tracheids tracheids latewood vessel latewood earlywood

resin cells

fibers ray cells ray cells

Figure 3. Three-dimensional cell level comparison between hardwood and softwoods.

5 Hardwoods diameter that gradually decreases in size as pores enter the latewood zone. Growth Ring Pore Arrangement The next major step in identifying hardwoods (3) Diffuse-porous hardwoods (Figure 4c). The last is to observe and categorize how the change, or group of species has vessels (pores) that are transition, in pore size occurs from earlywood to uniform in size across the entire growth ring latewood within a growth ring. There are three (yellow poplar, gum and ). These vessels are general classifications for this earlywood/latewood usually small, uniform in size and are very difficult transition, as depicted in Figure 4. to see with the naked eye (a hand lens is needed).

(1) Ring-porous hardwoods (Figure 4a). For some Vessel (Pore) Arrangement groups of species (oaks and ) the earlywood/ Vessel elements (pores) can be described by latewood transition occurs abruptly and is very their position relative to each other in a cross distinct. Within each growth ring, a band of large section. Different species have unique vessel earlywood vessels (pores) is clearly visible to the arrangements. Figure 5 shows some of the more naked eye, after which a band of latewood vessels common vessel arrangements. appears much smaller and requires the use of a hand lens to see. Solitary pores (Figure 5a): single pores that do not touch any other pores – evenly spaced (2) Semi-ring-porous hardwoods (Figure 4b). For across cross section (maples). another group of species (black walnut, butternut and ) the pore transition from large to Pore multiples (Figure 5b): arrangement small diameter within a growth ring is gradual. where two to five pores appear grouped together. The pores in the earlywood zone have a large

(A) Ring-porous () Semi-ring-porous (C) Diffuse-porous

Figure 4. Classification of pore transition from earlywood to latewood.

A. B. C. D. E. Solitary pores Pore multiples Pore chains Nested pores Wavy bands (ulmiform) (clusters)

Figure 5. Vessel (pore) arrangement.

6 Pore multiples usually occur in radial rows (cotton- When wood is cut radially, across the plane wood), but can occur in both radial and tangential where rays extend through the diameter of the directions (). cross section surface, many rays are split and exposed in patches on the radial surface. In Pore chains (Figure 5b): arrangement where many species – maple, and pore multiples appear in radial direction only. especially – these patches of split rays contrast in color from the longitudinal tissue around them Nested pores (Figure 5c): when larger and form a freckled pattern on the radial surface numbers of pores contact each other both radially called ray fleck. and tangentially (cluster). Tyloses Wavy bands (Figure 5d): Pores are arranged Tyloses are inclusions that form inside the in irregular concentric bands. Also called ulmiform vessels of some hardwoods. Because tyloses are because this characteristic is distinctive of all elms unique to certain hardwood species, they are useful (also hackberry). for wood identification. Tyloses are outgrowths of parenchyma cells into the hollow lumens of vessels Wood Rays and they look like bubbles or -like Once the pore distribution and arrangement structures clogging the openings of the vessel have been identified, it is important to look at the elements. Tyloses may be absent or sparse, as in size and arrangement of wood rays. Wood rays are red oak; variable, in the case of and ash; seen as narrow stripes or lines that extend across or densely packed and abundant, as they appear in the growth rings in the radial direction – from the white oak and locust. Tyloses effectively the bark to the center of the tree. Wood rays function vessels and subsequently restrict moisture move- to transport and water horizontally across the ment. The presence of tyloses is the reason white diameter of a tree. oak is used for making . The size and distribution of rays on the cross section are quite unique for many species and Parenchyma groups of species. Species such as red and white Parenchyma are small, thin-walled, longitudi- oak have very wide rays (many cells wide) that are nal cells that provide food storage. These cells are easily seen without a hand lens. Species such as sparse in softwoods but are often quite significant yellow-poplar, ash and maple have numerous and in hardwoods. Parenchyma are often very small extremely narrow rays (just 1-2 cells wide). The and difficult to see. However, there are many distribution of rays can also be used to separate species with visible and unique arrangements of some species. For example, beech and sycamore parenchyma cells that offer a clear structural both have large, conspicuous rays with fine, feature for decisive identification. narrow rays running between them. Another useful There are two basic types of parenchyma: characteristic of rays that can be observed on the paratracheal and apotracheal. The major differ- cross section of some species is the presence of ence between them is that paratracheal parenchyma nodes, or a swelling of the ray, at the intersection make contact with the pores or vessel elements, of a new growth ring – where the earlywood zone while apotracheal parenchyma are separated from begins. Ray nodes are seen in yellow-poplar, beech pores by fibers or rays. Figure 6 shows the various and sycamore. types of paratracheal and apotracheal parenchyma. When viewing a piece of wood from either In most species, apotracheal parenchyma are the radial or tangential surface, wood rays can be a not be useful in identifying wood with just a hand key characteristic to help identify the species. Rays lens. One exception is yellow-poplar, which has a vary not only in width, but also in height. The fine, clear, bright line of marginal apotracheal height of a ray is best observed from the tangential parenchyma at the edge of every growth ring. surface. Ray height varies between species from Since yellow poplar is a diffuse porous species, the imperceptibly small to several inches high. For presence of marginal parenchyma aids tremen- example, in red oak, ray height never exceeds 1 dously in its identification. Paratrachal paren- inch, while in white oak, the height of the rays are chyma appears in many forms, and is often more consistently greater than 11/4 inch.

7 locust and osage-orange are quite PARENCHYMA TYPES heavy compared to most other species. It is often helpful to keep Apotracheal growth ring boundary in mind how difficult or easy it is to make a cut on the cross section pores of a piece of wood when prepar- parenchyma ing the surface for examination. diffuse diffuse marginal banded in aggregate Softwoods Paratracheal Resin Canals The first step after making the determination that a wood scanty vasicentric aliform confluent specimen is softwood – due to the absence of pores – is to inspect the cross-section surface for the Figure 6. Classification of parenchyma arrangements around hardwood pores. presence of resin canals. Resin (cross-section view) canals are tubular passages in wood that exude , or resin, to useful for identification. For example, in hickory seal off wounds that occur due to the banded parenchyma looks like a reticulate, or mechanical damage. Resin canals most “web-like” formation as it connects between the often occur in or near the latewood zone of the rays and pores. This “web-like” appearance is growth rings. Softwoods can be separated into two unique to hickory. classifications based on the presence or absence of resin canals. Species that have resin canals include Color, Odor and Density pines, spruces, and Douglas-. The spe- cies that do not have resin canals include firs, Other characteristics of wood species that are hemlocks, cedars, redwood, baldcypress and yew. fundamental to wood identification include: color, Woods with resin canals are further separated odor and density. These characteristics are remark- into two groups: (1) those with large resin canals – ably variable in hardwoods and often provide the pines, and (2) those with small resin canals – first clue to identify a particular wood species. , and . Using a sample wood Hardwoods come in a variety of colors and shades identification set to compare the size and number of that often allow immediate and unmistakable resin canals of different species is useful in deter- recognition. Consider the lush reddish of how much they can differ between species. black cherry, the deep chocolate brown of black For example, most pines have quite large and walnut or the creamy white of hard maple. numerous resin canals that can be seen without the Less obvious, but certainly helpful to wood aid of a hand lens. Spruce and larch, on the other identification are odor characteristics. Many hard- hand, have much smaller resin canals that occur less woods have distinctive natural odors. Black cherry, frequently. Douglas fir has many small resin canals. for example, has an unmistakably fragrant aroma, Because the presence of resin canals is quite vari- while red oak is more bitter and acidic smelling. able, it may be necessary to make several cuts on Hardwoods also vary significantly with the cross section of a specimen to uncover enough respect to density. The density of wood is related surface area to make a good determination. to its hardness, strength and weight. Typically, a dense species of wood is heavier, harder and Growth Rings: Earlywood stronger than other, less dense species. Hardness is particularly useful when distinguishing between and Latewood hard and soft maple. Soft maple can be easily In softwoods, earlywood/latewood character- dented with your fingernail or sliced with a razor istics can provide useful information for identifi- blade, while hard maple is significantly more cation. The features to compare are: (1) the nature difficult to make an impression. Hickory, black of the earlywood/latewood transition – abrupt or

8 gradual, and (2) the percentage of latewood occu- Summary pying the growth ring. Becoming familiar with wood characteristics When identifying hardwoods, the size and and structure, as well as the techniques used to distribution of pores between earlywood and identify them, requires practice and dedication. If latewood are discriminating factors. Since soft- you know what to look for and where to look, your woods have no pores, the difference between the eye can be trained to pick up unique wood charac- earlywood and latewood zones in the growth ring teristics, enabling accurate and efficient wood occurs due to effects that the growing season has identification. While this publication outlines the on the longitudinal tracheids (the dominant cell general principles of wood identification using a type in softwoods). The earlywood zone of a hand lens, anyone seeking more in-depth and growth ring typically consists of thin-walled, complete methods should refer to one of the larger-diameter cells, while the latewood zone publications listed below. features thick-walled, smaller-diameter cells. Thus, for many species, the earlywood zone appears lighter, contrasting with the latewood zone, which is often a darker or browner . Other Publications For some species the transition from the Related to lighter-colored earlywood to the darker-colored latewood is distinct and abrupt (southern yellow Wood Identification , Douglas fir, redwood). For other woods, this Panshin, A. J. and C. de Zeeuw. Textbook of Wood transition is extremely gradual and even impercep- . McGraw-Hill. 1980. tible (white pine, cedars). Some species have an earlywood and latewood transition that falls Hoadley, R. B. Identifying Wood: Accurate Results between gradual to abrupt (spruce, fir, hemlock). with Simple . Taunton Press, Inc. Newton, CT. 1990. Color, Odor and Density Woods of the World CD-ROM. Tree Talk Inc. 1994. As with the hardwoods, color, odor and Burlington, VT. density are useful characteristics in identifying softwoods. Some species have distinct color Sources of Wood Samples for Identification differences, while others do not. Eastern white pine Carolina Biological Supply Company is consistently yellowish white, darkening to light 2700 York Road brown with age. Eastern redcedar has a distinctive Burlington, NC 27215 deep purplish-red color, and redwood a deep 919-584-0381 reddish-brown. Examples of odors include the “piney” fragrance of pines, the “cedar chest” scent International Wood Collectors Society of eastern redcedar and the relative absence of 13249 Hwy. 84 N smell in spruce, firs and hemlocks. Cordova, IL 61242-9708 Softwoods also vary substantially in density. 309-523-2852 Because many species are quite dense and strong, softwood is typically used for structural or W6407 20th St. purposes. Southern , Necedah, WI 54646 spruce, hemlock, fir and Douglas fir are all com- 608-565-2101 monly used in the construction . White pine and cedars, on the other hand, are consider- Garret Wade Company ably less dense and lighter in weight than the other 161 Avenue of the species, while white pine and cedars are easier to , NY 10013 slice with a razor blade when preparing a surface 1-800-221-2912 for identification. Educational Lumber Co., Inc. 5373 Asheville, NC 28803 704-255-8765

9 Wood ID: Species Characteristics

Ring-porous hardwoods Hickory American Carya spp. Average specific gravity: 0.72 Average specific gravity: 0.50 Heartwood color: Light to medium brown or Heartwood color: Light brown to brown or reddish brown reddish brown Pore distribution: Ring-porous Pore distribution: Ring-porous Earlywood: Mostly an intermittent single row or Earlywood: Pores large, in continuous row thick-walled pores with fiber mass where inter- Latewood: Pores in wavy bands rupted Tyloses: Present in earlywood, but usually sparse Latewood: Pores not numerous, solitary and in radial Rays: Not distinct without lens; homogeneous 1-7 multiples of 2-5. Thick-walled. (mostly 4-6) seriate. Tyloses: Moderately abundant Rays: 1-4 seriate Ash Parenchyma: Banded parenchyma and rays form a spp. reticulate pattern distinctly visible against the background fiber mass with a hand lens (but Average specific gravity: 0.60 banded parenchyma absent from earlywood zone) Heartwood color: Light brown or grayish brown. Sapwood color: Creamy white (may be very wide) Pore distribution: Ring-porous Northern Red Oak Earlywood: 2-4 pores wide; pores moderately large, surrounded by lighter tissue Average specific gravity: 0.63 Latewood: Pores solitary and in radial multiples of Heartwood Color: Light brown, usually with flesh or 2-3, surrounded by vasicentric parenchyma or pinkish-colored cast. connected by confluent parenchyma in outer Pore Distribution: Ring-porous latewood. Thick-walled. Earlywood: Up to 4 or 5 rows or large solitary pores. Tyloses: Fairly abundant (some vessels open) Latewood: Pores solitary in radial lines, few and Rays: Not distinct to eye, but clearly visible with distinct ("countable"), vessels thickwalled lens; 1-3 seriate Tyloses: Absent or sparse in earlywood Rays: Largest rays conspicuous; tallest less than 1 in. Black Locust (tangential surface). Narrow rays uniseriate (one cell wide) or in part bisariate Average specific gravity: 0.69 White Oak Heartwood color: or yellow-brown to dark yellow-brown; dark russet brown with exposure Fluorescence: Bright yellow Average specific gravity: 0.68 Sapwood: Never more than 3 growth rings wide Heartwood color: Light to dark brown to grayish Pore distribution: Ring-porous brown. Earlywood: 2-3 pores wide; pores large. Pore Distribution: Ring-porous Latewood: Pores in -like groups, which merge Earlywood: Up to 4 rows of large pores into interrupted or somewhat continuous bands in Latewood: Pores small, solitary or in multiples, in outer latewood; latewood fiber mass appears dense spreading radial arrangement, numerous and and dark in contrast to yellowish; tyloses filled indistinct ("uncountable"), grading to invisibly pores and rays. small with lens. Vessels thin-walled. Tyloses: Extremely abundant with yellowish cast and Tyloses: Abundant sparkle, solidly packing vessels and making Rays: Largest rays conspicuous; tallest greater than adjacent pores indistinct. 11/4 in. Narrow rays uniseriate or in part biseriate. Rays: 1-7 (mostly 3-5) seriate 10 Semi-Ring-Porous Hardwoods Black Cherry serotina Black Walnut nigra Average specific gravity: 0.50 Heartwood color: Light to dark or Average specific gravity: 0.55 reddish-brown Heartwood color: medium brown to deep Pore distribution: Diffuse-porous; growth rings chocolate brown sometimes distinct because of narrow zone or row Pore distribution: semi-ring-porous of numerous slightly larger pores along initial Pores: earlywood pores fairly large, decreasing earlywood. gradually to quite small in outer latewood; pores Pores: Pores through growth ring solitary and in solitary or in radial multiples of 2 to several radial or irregular multiples and small clusters Tyloses: Moderately abundant Gum Defects: Common Rays: fine, visible but not conspicuous with hand Rays: Not visible on tangential surface; conspicuous lens, 1-5 seriate, cells appear round in tangential light ray fleck on radial surfaces; distinct bright view lines across transverse surface, conspicuous with Crystals: Occur sporadically in longitudinal paren- lens. 1-6 (mostly 3-4) seriate. chyma cells Black Gum Diffuse-Porous Hardwoods American Basswood Average Specific Gravity: 0.50 americana Heartwood Color: Medium grey or grey with Average specific gravity: 0.37 or brown cast (wood usually has interlocked grain) Heartwood color: Creamy white to pale brown Pore Distribution: Diffuse-porous Odor: Faint but characteristic musty odor Pores: Very small, numerous, solitary and in mul- Pore distribution: Diffuse-porous; growth rings tiples and small clusters indistinct or faintly delineated by marginal Rays: Barely visible even with hand lens; 1-4 seriate parynchyma, sometimes with blurry whitish spots along the growth ring boundary Eastern Cottonwood Pores: Small, mostly in irregular multiples and deltoides clusters Average specific gravity: 0.40 Rays: Distinct but not conspicuous on transverse Heartwood color: Grayish to light grayish-brown. surface with lens. 1-6 seriate; ray cells appear Occationally olive. laterally compressed in tangential view; rays have Pore distribution: Diffuse porous or semi-diffuse- bright yellow cast porus. Usually an apparent size graduation from earlywood to latewood American Beech Pores: Small to medium small; Solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to several Average specific gravity: 0.64 Rays: Very fine, not easily seen with hand lens Heartwood color: Creamy white with reddish tinge to medium reddish-brown Sycamore Pore distribution: Diffuse porous; growth rings occidentalis distinct. Average specific gravity: 0.49 Pores: Small, solitary and in irregular multiples and Heartwood color: Light to dark brown, usually with clusters, numerous and evenly distributed through- a reddish cast out most of the ring; narrow but distinct latewood Pore distribution: Diffuse-porous; growth rings in each ring due to fewer, smaller pores distinct due to unusual lighter color of latewood Rays: Largest rays conspicuous on all surfaces; (thinner band and clearer than beech) darker ray fleck against lighter background on Pores: Small, solitary and in irregular multiples and radial surfaces. Largest rays 15-25 seriate; clusters, numerous and evenly distributed through- uniseriate rays common 11 out most of the growth ring; latewood zone evident Yellow Poplar by fewer, smaller pores Rays: Easily visible without hand lens on all sur- faces, appearing uniform in size and evenly Average specific gravity: 0.42 spaced on transverse and tangential surfaces, Heartwood color: Green, or yellow to tan with producing conspicuous dark ray fleck on radial greenish cast surfaces. Largest rays up to 14 seriate; uniseriate Sapwood color: creamy white (often wide) rays not common. Pore distribution: Diffuse-porous; growth rings delineated by distinct light cream or yellowish line Maple of marginal parenchyma. Pores: Small, solitary, but mostly in radial or irregu- lar multiples and small clusters Average specific gravity: 0.63 Rays: Distinct on cross section with lens; produce Heartwood color: Creamy white to light reddish- conspicuous fine light ray fleck on radial surfaces. brown 1-5 (mostly 2-3) seriate Pore distribution: Diffuse-porous; growth rings distinct due to darker brown, narrow latewood line Pores: Small, with largest approximately equal to Softwood Identification maximum ray width in cross section; solitary or in radial multiples; very evenly distributed Eastern White Pine Rays: Visible to eye on tangential surface as very fine, even-sized, evenly distributed lines; on radial surfaces, ray fleck usually conspicuous. Average specific gravity: 0.35 Rays: Two distinct sizes: largest 7-8 seriate; Odor: Pleasant, piney uniseriate rays numerous. Heartwood: Distinct, darkening with age Grain appearance: Fairly even Red Maple Earlywood / Latewood transition: Gradual Resin Canals: large, numerous, mostly solitary, evenly distributed Average specific gravity: 0.54 Heartwood color: Creamy white to light reddish- Southern Yellow Pine brown, commonly with grayish cast or streaks. Pinus spp. Pore distribution: Diffuse-porous Pores: Small, solitary and in radial multiples, very Average specific gravity: 0.51 to 0.61 evenly distributed; largest as large or slightly larger Odor: “pitchy” pine odor than widest rays on cross section. Heartwood: Distinct Rays: May be visible on tangential surface as very Grain appearance: Uneven fine, even-sized and evenly spaced lines; on radial Earlywood / Latewood transition: abrupt surface, ray fleck usually conspicuous. 1-5 seriate. Resin Canals: Large, numerous, mostly solitary, evenly distributed Yellow Birch Red Spruce Average specific gravity: 0.62 Heartwood color: Light brown to dark brown, Average specific gravity: 0.40 reddish-brown. Odor: None Pore distribution: Diffuse porous Heartwood: Light in color; indistinct from sapwood Pores: Small to medium, solitary and in radial Grain appearance: Fairly even to moderately even multiples of two to several pores Earlywood / Latewood transition: Gradual Rays: Rays smaller than pore diameters. Some pores Resin Canals: Small, relatively few; solitary or may appear to be filled with a substance; 1-5 several in tangential groups, variably distributed seriate.

12 Hemlock Canadensis For more information or to inquire about wood identification short courses hosted by The Average specific gravity: 0.40 University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Odor: None Products Center, please contact: Heartwood: Indistinct, light in color Grain appearance: Fairly uneven Dr. Brian H. Bond Earlywood / Latewood transition: Fairly abrupt Assistant Professor to gradual The University of Tennessee Texture: Medium to medium-coarse Tennessee Forest Products Center 2506 Jacob Drive Balsam Fir Knoxville, TN 37996-4563 Email : [email protected] Website: http://web.utk.edu/~tfpc/ Average specific gravity: 0.36 Phone: (865) 946-1121 Odor: None Fax: (865) 974-4714 Heartwood: Indistinct, light in color Grain appearance: moderately uneven to moderately even Earlywood / Latewood transition: Very gradual Texture: Medium

Eastern Red Cedar Average specific gravity: 0.47 Odor: “cedar-chest” odor, very distinct Heartwood: Distinct, deep purplish red, aging to reddish-brown Grain appearance: Moderately uneven to fairly even; latewood narrow Earlywood / Latewood transition: Gradual Texture: Very fine

Baldcypress distichum Average specific gravity: 0.46 Odor: Faint to moderately rancid Heartwood: Usually distinct Grain appearance: Uneven Earlywood / Latewood transition: Abrupt; early- wood medium yellow-brown; latewood amber to dark brown Texture: Coarse to very coarse

13 Dense, no taste No distinctive odor or dark- color heartwood Softer, less Softer, dense, bitter taste Balsam fir Eastern hemlock Distinctive odor and deep purplish-colored heartwood cedar (wood lacking pores) Red spruce Eastern red SOFTWOOD KEY Abrupt earlywood- latewood transition Southern yellow pine Resin canals present absent Large resin canalsLarge Small, scarce resin canals Eastern white pine Gradual earlywood- latewood transition

14 less heartwood heartwood soft, low density; quite hard, dense; Fine narrow rays Sugar (hard) maple- Sugar cream color; very dense; very fine rays and slightly thicker rays Red (soft) maple- dense; rays all one size (very fine) Basswood- parenchyma at growth marginal rings (spotty); faint musty odor Birch- growth rings not distinct; rays barely visible to naked eye, pores solitary or in multiples Black cherry- reddish, cinnamon brown; rays fine, distinct bright lines poplar- Yellow green to yellowish green; growth rings distinct due to light colored parenchyma marginal Diffuse porous - rays more Both thick and narrow rays - larger rays more - larger - heartwood deep Beech widely and irregularly spaced; latewood darker cast Sycamore uniform in size and closely spaced; latewood has light cast soft, low density, Walnut chocolate brown Cottonwood- medium-size pores; greyish light foul odor when moist brown color, Semi-ring porous (wood with pores) HARDWOOD KEY Tyloses present very dense; also pores in nested Locust- groups Hickory- banded parenchyma for reticulate pattern on cross- section Pores soliary or multiples heartwood heartwood Ash Tyloses absent or scarce Pores in wavy bands reddish brown, streaky; neither growth rings or rays distinct, extremely small pores Black gum ()- darker grey with green or brown cast; otherwise indistinct Sweet (red) gum- Sweet (red) White oak earlywood/latewood Tyloses present Ring porous earlywod/latewood Red oak Elm- transition very abrupt Hackberry- transition more uneven Tyloses absent or scarce Pores in radial rows

15 Visit the Agricultural Extension Service Web site at: http://www.utextension.utk.edu/

PB1692-1.5M-2/02 E12-4915-00-010-002

The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, , age, disability, religion or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AND HOME ECONOMICS The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and county governments cooperating in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Agricultural Extension Service Charles L. Norman, Dean

16